9/11 Cancer Risks Continue Among FDNY Firefighters

Twenty-three years after the 9/11 attacks, firefighters from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) continue to face heightened risks of cancer and chronic respiratory illnesses, as well as other serious health conditions.

For those present at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the consequences have been dire: A total of 343 firefighters who rushed to the crash site died and over 200 have since died from the effects of being exposed to the toxic cloud in the weeks and months that followed. Over 50 percent of firefighters at the World Trade Center site have developed a respiratory condition.

FDNY 9/11 firefighters have an estimated 13 percent higher risk of developing cancer than firefighters not exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero.

It is essential for any firefighter present at Ground Zero on September 11 or in the months afterward to receive monitoring and treatment via the Worth Trade Center Health Program and to claim compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund for their 9/11-related health conditions.

Ongoing 9/11 cancer diagnoses for FDNY firefighters

More than 14,700 living responders and 1,200 now-deceased responders have received a certified 9/11-related cancer diagnosis.

The toxic cloud that hung over Lower Manhattan was anything but “safe” despite the claims of federal government officials. The cloud lingered for many months, exposing hundreds of thousands of people to carcinogenic and hazardous substances for simply returning to their places of work, study, or residence.

Firefighters heroically rushed to the scene to assist with the recovery and cleanup— and were among the professionals hit hardest by the devastating effects. Many worked without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) even being provided.

Heavy metals, asbestos, jet fuel, and plastics found in the toxic 9/11 dust cloud contain many carcinogenic substances. The effects of prolonged exposure to these substances are still being felt 20 years after the attacks, with many types of cancer having a lengthy “latency period”.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the minimum latency periods for sample types of cancer are as follows:

• Mesothelioma: 11 years
• Most solid cancers: four years
• All types of leukemia and lymphoma: 0.4 years
• Thyroid cancer: 2.5 years

These periods represent the shortest time that can pass between exposure and diagnosis for the exposure to be considered a cause of the cancer. No maximum latency period exists, which means that 9/11-related cancers could still be detected 50 years or more from now.

Unfortunately, FDNY firefighters who suffered toxic exposures after 9/11 will continue to face an increased risk of cancer in the present and for the remainder of their lives.

Main types of 9/11 cancers diagnosed among firefighters

The average firefighter faces a heightened risk of cancer compared to the general population. For 9/11 firefighters from the FDNY, the risk is even higher.

In the intervening years since 2001, certain types of cancer have been more prevalent than others for firefighters. Almost 70 cancers have been identified as “9/11-related” and more are added to the list by the CDC as new research becomes available.

The following cancer types are generally considered some of the highest risk for 9/11 firefighters:

• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Lung/respiratory system cancers
• Blood/lymphoid tissue cancers (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma)
• Skin cancers (melanoma and non-melanoma)
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal and other digestive system cancers (e.g., pancreas, small intestine)
• Mesothelioma
• Eye and orbit cancers
• Ovarian cancer
• Bladder, kidney, and other cancers of the urinary system

Any firefighter, responder or survivor from the exposure zone who is suffering from these or any other cancer listed by the CDC as 9/11-related is presumptively eligible for federal benefits programs.

Many firefighters survive 9/11-related cancers

Recent research points to a slightly surprising finding about FDNY firefighters and 9/11-related cancers: firefighters exposed to the toxic WTC dust are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than firefighters who were not exposed—but also have a higher chance of surviving any cancer they develop.

These above-average survival rates may be due to the better general health and fitness of the firefighter responders (many of whom were in their twenties or thirties) as well as better access to monitoring from the WTCHP, which can lead to early diagnoses and quicker treatment of cancers.

As the years roll by and 9/11 firefighters enter their fifties, sixties, and seventies, cancer survival rates among 9/11 firefighters may, unfortunately, decrease.

World Trade Center Health Program for firefighters

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was passed in 2010. This led to the creation of the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).

The WTCHP is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiative. Administered by the CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the program provides free medical monitoring and treatment for those who assisted in the cleanup and recovery after the attacks or simply returned to work, study or lived in Lower Manhattan and breathed the toxic air there.

Anyone in the exposure zone between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, who developed a 9/11-related cancer or other condition is eligible for WTCHP benefits—yet there are still many thousands of eligible individuals (including some firefighters) who have not enrolled.

To date, around 17,000 FDNY personnel have enrolled in the WTCHP, which is about 15 percent of the WTCHP’s overall enrollment.

9/11 Victim Compensation Fund for firefighters

The VCF provides the option of compensation for loss of wages and pain and suffering for firefighters diagnosed with a 9/11-related cancer that is certified by the WTCHP (or the families of those deceased),

All firefighters should register with the program within two years after receiving a certification of a 9/11-related health condition from the WTCHP or a diagnosis by a private physician. They can then file a compensation claim at any time until October 1st, 2090. Compensation for a 9/11-related cancer is up to $250,000.

Meeting the eligibility criteria/deadlines and preparing documentation to maximize benefits can be challenging and time-consuming. Many firefighters seek legal assistance with the process.

To discuss your situation and learn more about how we may be able to help you, please call Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP at 212-983-3000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.